Alan Turing: Computation

The ideas of British scientist Alan Turing shaped our world. He laid the foundations for modern computers and the information technology revolution, as well as making far-sighted predictions on artificial intelligence, the brain and even developmental biology. He also led vital codebreaking efforts for the Allies in the second world war. This legacy will be celebrated worldwide on 23 June - the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Understanding why Turing's achievements matter today begins with the story of how he set out to solve one of his era's biggest mathematical conundrums - and in the process defined the basis of all computers

Up until the second world war, the word "computer" meant a person, often a woman, who did calculations either manually or with the help of a mechanical adding machine. These human computers were an essential part of the industrial revolution ...

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